“It’s time to let go.”

It had been a week since Samuel's panicked plea and his desperate attempt to drag me into whatever mess he had caused. In that time, Mrs. Edgewood had been silent. Not a single word about Samuel’s outburst or whatever had happened in the hallway. Her silence was unnerving.

I tried to push it out of my mind, focusing on the routine of my responsibilities, but the uncertainty loomed like a shadow over me. What had Samuel said to her? And why hadn’t she brought it up?

I was in the study, going over some paperwork, trying to distract myself, when there was a soft knock on the door. The maid, timid as always, peeked her head in.

“Miss Anna,” she said, her voice low. “Mrs. Edgewood is asking for you.”

My heart skipped a beat. It felt like the moment I had been dreading for days had finally arrived. Nodding, I set the papers down, smoothing my dress as if it could somehow calm my nerves.

“Thank you,” I murmured, rising from my seat.

As I made my way to Mrs. Edgewood’s sitting room, I couldn’